Modern Machine Shop

SEP 2013

Modern Machine Shop is focused on all aspects of metalworking technology - Providing the new product technologies; process solutions; supplier listings; business management; networking; and event information that companies need to be competitive.

Issue link: https://mms.epubxp.com/i/155490

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 79 of 243

feature the investment in automation or makes the automation incompatible with the realities of mold production," Mr. Graham says. By design then, any machine tool in Rail 1 can be taken offline and operated like an ordinary, stand-alone CNC machining center or EDM. A CMM integrated in Rail 1 is also set up in the same fashion. Regardless of the equipment in offline status, the rest of the cell can continue to operate safely and efficiently in the automated mode. Jobs already scheduled for an offline machine are put on hold by the cell's master control system. When the operator has completed the custom, offline work, a press of a button resumes automated production exactly where it left off. "Because the cell has dual-mode capability, it can supply virtually all of the electrode machining to support the rest of the mold shop," Mr. Graham says. "Whether we need 100 pieces or only one, Rail 1 can handle it." He adds that this sub cell delivers precision to ±0.0001 inch or better, regardless of its operational mode. This view of Rail 1 shows the side of the cell with two sinker EDMs and the load/unload station. Two machining centers and a CMM are on the other side. as the world's largest producer of beverage cans. Chances are that if you had a drink from an aluminum can at lunch today, that can was made by Rexam. Accounting for about 10 percent of its revenue, the company's Healthcare unit is a leading supplier of rigid packaging for pharmaceuticals and manufacturer of other plastic medical devices. Rexam Healthcare has 14 production plants on three continents. The Rexam Mold Manufacturing (RMM) facility in Buffalo Grove provides mold making ser vices for all of these plants. Tooling from RMM includes high-precision, highcavitation plastic injection molds in singleface, stack, unscrewing, multi-material and rotary cube configurations, among others. RMM also supplies plastic injection molds to a host of outside customers in the medical, pharmaceutical, general enclosure, personal products and home care markets. Mold Production for the World Today, RMM's facility consists of close to Rexam is a London, England-based global supplier of consumer packaging. It is best known 100,000 square feet of space for mold design and 78 MMS September 2013 mmsonline.com

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Modern Machine Shop - SEP 2013